Pro Tips with Jamie Snyder

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As a fiberglass pool installer in Orange County NY ,this is a question that I hear pretty often. For the longest time I would have had to say no. See, in the early days of fiberglass they had some obvious drawbacks. The 4 biggest drawbacks of fiberglass pools of old were.

The shapes often resembled that of a bath tub.

The gel coat colors were either white or some close variant to white like sky blue.

The mold technology was pretty lacking.

The Resins used actually absorbed water.

Can you believe that the pool on the left is still in production and has to compete with the pool on the right?

To be honest not every manufacturer has gotten all of these things fixed as of today. So let’s see what’s new in the fiberglass pool industry.

Shape:

Now I know that some of you are thinking that shape is something that cannot be graded and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I would have to agree on some level, but when it comes to a pool shape is a little more important than that. Shape can affect how well a pool performs as well as how good it looks. For instance Leisure Pools adds a convenience ledge about two feet down from the coping on all of it’s pools. This simple change in shape allows children to easily move about the pool while providing a much stronger pool wall than the competition. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and you can now see Barrier Reef adding this feature in their pools as well.

Gel Coat Colors:

First a little definition – the gel coat of a pool is the part that you actually feel inside. Now color is another purely subjective topic. If you want a white pool plenty of guys make that and you will have no problem finding one. That being said who really wants a white pool anymore? No one I’ve spoken with in the past 5 years. Now why is it that so many fiberglass manufacturers only offer white or charge extra for colors thereby convincing you white is a better (cheaper) option. Simply because they have found it difficult to build a colored pool that will not fade. Now barrier reef which I liked above had some interesting language in their warranty.

“Barrier Reef Pools finish coat or gelcoat is warranted against blistering for a total of 15 years. This Warranty excludes discoloration, staining, fading, hairline cracks, blistering, surface yellowing or roughness after manufacture , where the cause is algae infestation, calcium scale or other mineral or vegetation deposits or faults arising from misuse or abuse of the surface or the maintenance of incorrect water balances.”

Now right there they excluded just about everything that can happen to a surface of a pool. Read that again, The first sentence warrants blisters and the second takes it away. That’s pretty fancy wording if you ask me. They go on to say that this applies only if your water balance is off. Well folks I have never tested pool water from a homeowner that maintained it themselves and had it come out “perfect” every single time.

Mold Technology:

This is where Leisure Pools has really set the pace so to speak. Industry standard is to build a fiberglass pool mold on a wood frame. The problem with this type of manufacturer is that wood warps, plain and simple. For instance here in the Hudson Valley, NY we have weather extremes and I see decks all the time that look good one year and look like crap the next. The handrails don’t look straight anymore, the floor looks uneven etc. This is because the wood warped from month to month. A real good deck builder can help prevent this by placing the “cupping” in a certain direction but that’s some next level stuff, and I don’t build decks. This guy does build decks and he does a great job. Back on track, you can see how a wood frame will warp. Leisure Pools uses only steel frames on all of their fiberglass pool molds, it costs more but you end up with a perfect pool.

Resin:

Now we are getting into the science of things here. This is the stuff that gets me excited. Well that and riding my Harley. But seriously - resin is extremely important. Except for the gel coat layer of the pool every other layer will contain resin. Some companies use multiple types of resin depending on the layer. The key thing to remember is that Vinyl Ester resins do not absorb water and most other resins do. That being said Leisure Pools is the only company that uses Vinyl Ester resins in every layer of their pool. The reason you want a resin that does not absorb water is simple. If your pool shell absorbs water the surface will probably blister. Knowing this some companies will use Vinyl Ester resin on the first inside layer but polyester resin on the subsequent layers. In theory that’s great, this stops the pool water from getting in the other layers. The problem is if you have ground water. If the back of the pool is not protected as well, then you have the risk of groundwater entering the shell and causing a blister.

So now that that’s done. Are Fiberglass Swimming Pools any Good? As you can see, it depends on the manufacturer. While some like Leisure Pools are excellent some others are not as good. Leave your comments and sign up for our blog.

In the race to build the most technologically advanced and structurally sound swimming pool one company has clearly positioned themselves as the leader. Not content with producing the best fiberglass swimming pool on the market Leisure Pools has raised the bar once again.

Introducing Composite Armor (or Armour if you are an Aussie)

Leisure pools has recently introduced Composite Armor to its line of fiberglass swimming pools. This Patented technology is comprised of Carbon Fiber, Basalt Fiber and DuPont Kevlar. Incorporating these hi -tech fibers to your swimming pool provides significant advantages over the competition.

3 reasons why Composite armor is the best choice for your new swimming pool.

Strength – Carbon Fiber and Kevlar are the go-to materials for super strong construction. There is a reason that bullet proof vests and helmets made from DuPont Kevlar have been standard issue for US combat soldiers for decades.

Light weight – The Boeing 787 Dreamliner which seats up to 290 people and cost $32 Billion to design is Boeing’s most fuel efficient airliner and the world’s first airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction. Now this same technology is available in your swimming pool only 3 years later.

Flexibility – Here in the northeast, Monroe, NY to be specific we have seen some extreme weather in the last few years. This abundance of rain coupled with times of drought cause the ground to expand and contract. Having a composite based pool vs concrete (gunite) or a vinyl liner pool is a huge advantage. The repair process on a crack in a gunite pool can be quite a process.

We from Albertgroup Landscaping wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Is fitness also in the Top Ten List of your New Years Resolutions? Than we have good news for you: In 2013 the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) will award research grants totaling $117,974 to study the health benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise and to encourage more people to get into the water.

Research to Prove Benefits of Aqua ExerciseWhile we all know about the health benefits of swimming and water exercise, it is always nice to have proof. “Physicians, therapists, and insurance companies rely on published science when considering options to treat patients. As people age, medical costs increase and mobility and quality of life decreases. We believe we have the magic potion. Our funded research will prove it,” explaines Bill Kent, Chairman of the Foundation’s Grant Review Committee, in a press release of the NSPF.

“The percentage of Americans older than 65 will increase from 12.4% to 19.6% by 2030 according to the U.S. Census data; similar trends are occurring around the world”, the release continues. Many of the research studies funded by NSPF focus therefore on seniors and age-related health-problems, such as osteoarthritis, cognitive, neuromuscular and cardiovascular functional decline and stiffness.

Swimming as Therapy for Age-Related DiseasesThe Foundation is certain to be able to proof that aquatic exercise is the ideal therapy for many of those diseases. One example is the study of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratoy at the University of Texas at Austin. 40 osteoarthritis patients will be assigned to twelve weeks of swim training. The study is based on the recommendation of the American College of Rheumatology to include aerobic exercise as part of the treatment for osteoarthritis. But arthritic joint paint disables many middle-aged and older adults from land-based exercise and activities. In the water, the joints do not have to carry any weight, which may prove aqua-exercise as the ideal solution.

Another study, proposed by the Department of Kinesiology, at Indiana University, and the Director of Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming will compare seniors, who have been involved in regular aquatic exercise (swimming or workout) with an age-and-education-matched control-group. The study wants to show, that regular exercise is associated with enhanced cognitive ability and improved nerve and heart health in senior people.

Your Fountain to Youth“We will all get older”, summarizes Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D. and CEO with the National Swimming Pool Foundation the importance of those studies. “Why not explore to what extent water activity will help us maintain our mobility and minds while we are alive. It is no coincidence that people believed in the ‘fountain of youth’ and not a ‘football field of youth'.”

Where will you be during your next summer vacation? That might sound like an odd question, with freezing winter-weather outside and the holidays not quite there yet. Still, we would like you to think of some beautiful, sunny days. You take your coffee outside on the terrace to enjoy your Sunday morning. A little later your kids storm out and jump in the pool even before they have breakfast. All of you look forward to a wonderful vacation-day right in your yard.

Family-Fun all Summer longWhy not give your family the gift of summer-long family-fun? Even if the weather outside is less than inviting you can make plans of what your backyard should look like in the summer. There are many little things you can do, to improve your outdoor space. Add a retaining wall to gain more space, design a sitting area, include a fire pit, water features or plan an in ground swimming pool.

Make Your New Years Resolutions Come TrueDo you want to get more exercise next year? Do you want to spend more time with your family and children? Do you want to spend more time outside? It sounds like we have the perfect solution to all your resolutions: The installation of an in ground Fiberglass Pool. Imagine how easy it will be, to just step out in the morning and swim a few laps or start the day with some aqua exercises.

A Present that lasts all Summer Long Let’s be honest, most of us have all and even more than we actually need. Why not scale back on having more things and toys and trinkets and give a present, which still can be enjoyed when the holidays are long past. Imagine the happy faces of your children, when they learn, that they will be have their own swimming pool right outside the back-door next summer. Why not adding a new swimsuit or some water toys to the swimming pool plans?

Free 3D RenderingAlbert Group Landscaping and Swimming Pools offers free 3D rendering of your project. The renderings are very detailed and include even the finishing touches, like plants and different lighting scenarios. You will be able to see exactly how your yard will look like, when we are done with your project. Please contact Albert Group Landscaping if you should have any questions. We help you to share your summer-trees under the Christmas-trees!

Plan your pool project now, than you will have it installed before summer starts!

Snow can add some true magic to your garden. When you look out of your window on a white, glittery surface, branches heavy with fresh fallen snow, it is easy to get lost in the silence of this wonderful Christmas scenery. True, soon enough there will be footprints, shoveling and more mushy weather, but just follow our simple tricks to preserve the white winter magic a little while longer.

Walls of DelightRetaining walls can be very attractive in a winter landscape. They provide space for the snow to collect and can be easily decorated with a few pine-branches, a lantern or some lights, depending on how natural you want the wall to look. Next spring or summer, think of planting some patches of decorative grass around your wall. This will add color to your winter landscape. Another beautiful addition is the installation of decorative tiles set into the wall. Texture and color should fit the surroundings and add an attractive splash of color. Choose flower motives to remind your garden-visitors what it will look like again in a few months.

Snow-CatchersIf you do not have a retaining wall, you still can add all kinds of structures to ad eye-appeal to your winter garden. Birdhouses are a wonderful addition to every yard. You can put them on wooden stilts or hang them in a tree. Other possible snow-catching elements are fences, arbors, benches, and boulders. If you just want to add something right away, choose simple tepee-like structures, made out of bamboo poles. You can decorate with natural materials, pines and red berries, lanterns, lights or Christmas ornaments. Have fun with it!

Outdoor Christmas-Trees To add to the beauty of your wintery landscape, you should make sure to feature some trees and shrubs in your yard, that hold their bare limbs horizontally. This way snow can collect and creates the striking design of dark and light. Crabapple or Dogwood trees are good choices to create wintery silhouettes. Add some berry-full bird food to decorate your outside Christmas tree.

Encourage a Walk in the Snow To make sure, your winter landscape will get the attention it deserves, include some paths that garden-visitors can use in any weather. If you do not have walkways in your garden, which always add to a more park-like feeling, just try to create a path or two through your winter wonder land. You can use lanterns to mark the way.

Easy Winter-DecorationsFor a wonderful one-time effect you can simply fill paper-bags with some sand and add a candle. Another easy to make outdoor winter decoration are ice-cakes. Take a Bundt cake pan or even a bucket and fill with water. Include decorative objects, like pinecones, pine tree branches, rowanberries or Christmas ornaments to be frozen in the ice cake. Use some warm water to get the ice cake out of the pan, set on some pinetree branches and enjoy!

For more ideas about landscaping projects for your garden contact Jamie Snyder of Albert Group Landscaping.

Walkways do not only enhance the aesthetics of your yard, they also create functional pathways to your garage, your shed and to your front door. Especially in the wintertime you will appreciate established and well-maintained walkways. They will make it easier and safer to get around on your property.

To prepare for the snowy season it is a good idea to clear all the sideways and walkways around your home. Clear any tools, hoses, rocks and debris form the walkways, so that shoveling or snow blowing will be easier and smoother once winter hits.

Check for Problem Spots NowAnother good idea is to check for cracks and other problem spots now. The extreme temperature-change will worsen the cracks over the winter – and the repairs will be more extensive and expensive in the spring. You also want to make sure to get rid of any low spots where puddles can develop and water might collect.

Inspect the Drainage SystemAnother important thing to check, is your water drainage system: Make sure, that rain and melting snow will not spill directly on your walkway, but can flow freely through your drainage system. If water gets under your walkway during the cold winter month, and the water freezes, it can actually rise up the walkway in certain spots. The consequence is, that the walkway will crack or get otherwise damaged in these areas.

Hire a Professional“I can't tell you how many times I get calls for walkways from people who have an walkway that is in disrepair or simply never had one to begin with“, says Jamie Snyder of Albert Group Landscaping. „And every one of them in the end wished they had acted sooner.“ Albert Group is ICPI certified and a member of the NCMA (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and National Concrete Masonry Association respectively). “We don not only want to transform the curb appeal of your home, we have the skills necessary to install a walkway that will last the life of your home.”

Keep it SafeBy keeping your walkway clean and well maintained you also keep it safe. According to the National Floor Safety institute, there are more than 8 million emergency room visits and 21.000 deaths each year because of slip, trip and fall accidents. Most of these incidents happen on even floor, in 55 percent of all cases, the walkway is implicated as the cause.

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy our thoughts go to those who were affected. With the destructive power of nature still in our minds, we also want to take a closer look on the durability of hardscape features. Many of you have probably passed an otherwise beautiful residential development, but noticed the crumbling or tilting of a retaining wall. How can that happen? And even more important: How can you avoid the failure of important hardscape structures?

Generally retaining walls provide lateral support for vertical slopes of soil, which would otherwise collapse. Retaining walls are used for landscaping purposes, such as changing the topography of a yard. Since there is no yard without a slope, retaining walls are used often to level of terrain for a swimming pool, a patio, terrace or other landscaping feature.

To build a durable wall, it takes some planning and designing. Factors that should be considered are purpose of the wall, site placement, drainage, foundation, construction materials and building code issues. If the general engineering principals have not been applied, failure will occur, the wall will crumble, crack, puddles will develop around the top or the base of the wall, and the wall will set excessively or even sink.

Building Codes Building Codes are made for a reason! Retaining walls should always be considered as load bearing construction not as an aesthetic feature, although new materials like StoneMakers concrete will allow us to design aesthetic and durable constructions. When calculating the effect of the earth pressure one also has to consider the contribution of water – plus worst-case scenarios, such as long lasting rainstorms or melting snow. All Albert Group Landscaping construction comply with the applicable building codes.

FoundationThe foundation is one of the most important parts of you wall. The footing and foundation system ensures that the retaining wall can resist the imposed lateral forces. It will also prevent the wall from sinking or settling excessively. Well designed and built walls utilize steel reinforcement bars or other methods to tie the wall to the foundation.

DrainageMost retaining walls fails because rising groundwater or soil-moisture builds up too much pressure for the wall. When the imposed forces of soil and groundwater exceed the resisting forces of the retaining wall, failure occurs. Therefore all retaining walls should be constructed in a way that provides drainage for all water that collects behind the wall. Possibilities are a gravel drainage blanket and/or pipe behind the wall.

As you can see, proper design and engineering are essential to build a functional and long lasting retaining wall. Feel free to contact Jamie Snyder if you have any questions. Albert Group Landscaping also can provide you with a free estimate for your next landscaping project.

Are you longing for the warm summer evenings, when you could enjoy sitting in the backyard way past midnight without even having to wear a sweater? Does your living room feel just a little bit too cozy and crammed after all those beautiful nights you were able to spend on your patio under the stars? You are not alone. According to the American Institute of Architects' first Home Design Trend Survey 48% off all homeowners in the US prefer an outdoor living space to the traditional green lawn.

Companies Take Indoors OutsideMany companies respond to that demand. There are amazing new outdoor furniture-options. The new fabrics are made from acrylic fibers and are fade-resistant and waterproof. SunBrite TV and Mirage Outdoor Concepts both sell flat-panel LCD television-set, which are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and temperature changes – and are equipped with a wireless connection.

How to Create an Outdoor Living SpaceBut it takes more than just cozy cushions and entertainment devices to create a real outdoor living space. To be successful you should adopt some of the same principles that make the interior of your home comfortable. That means you need some walls, a floor and a ceiling. Start by establishing the outline or boundary of your outdoor room. The idea is to create an area where you don’t feel watched by your neighbors. Like in your home you want enjoy some intimacy.

Complement your Home with a Retaining WallEspecially if your yard has different levels or is slightly sloped, a retaining wall can be a great starting point for your new room outdoors. With StoneMakers concrete we are able to create almost any shape – and even the color can be mixed to complement your actual home. This way your outdoor space will really feel like an extension of your indoor living area. Thanks to the flexibility of the material, it even is possible to add different features to your wall, like a bench or sitting area, different water-features, a fire pit or fire place.

Why choose StoneMakersBecause the material is so easy to work with, StoneMakers allows us to even carry out the most creative design-ideas. At the same time you do not have to worry about the durability. StoneMakers is twice as strong as typical concrete. After being in this business now for almost 20 years, I can tell you, that “StoneMakers retaining walls are not only good, they are the best!”, says Jamie Snyder of The Albert Group Landscaping.

The New York based landscaper has a lot of experience to implement different outdoor living ideas. „We have built outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, BBQ-pits, waterfalls, pools, whole entertainment areas“, Snyder explains. Albert Group Landscaping is also certified by both the National Concrete Masonry Association and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. „You can be assured that your project is installed correctly“, says Snyder.

The Albert Group Landscaping does offer complete solutions for your backyard make over. „Before we start, we offer our clients a 3D rendering oft he project“, explains Snyder. „This will allow you to see your project conceptually before you buy.“ Are you ready to increase your space? Contact Jamie Snyder and ask for a free estimate.

Fall is here. The leaves are turning color – and you might find yourself enjoying some long and beautiful days in your yard. Now is also the time to check your hardscape. Take a walk around your property and inspect your walkways and retaining walls for damage and cracks. Here are the most important factors you should look out for.

WeedsWeeds are amazing. They can grow almost everywhere. And occasionally it might happen that something green is growing on your retaining wall or walkway. The easiest way to take care of unwanted weed growth is to pull the first sprout, before the plantlet can grow into a forest. If plucking weeds is not your thing, you can spray annually like you would with the lawn.

LeavesA few leaves are not a problem, but if they accumulate, especially over the winter, they might discolor the surface over time. To protect your hardscape you also should make sure to wash salts and chemicals of the surface. And if the finish begins to wear, you should seal it again.

Surface Treatment This is an area, which can be easily overlooked: The areas surrounding your wall. These areas should actually be treated as part of whole the wall design. It does not matter, if they are paved or beautified with landscape planting, mulch or turf. These areas provide an important function for the wall, they capture and route the water. Therefore you should replant bare areas and encourage the growth of ground covers and flowers. Most importantly look for areas of erosion and re-landscape if necessary. A little bit of work can prevent major erosion and therefore real problems.

Site Grading While all retaining walls should be designed and built so that rain and water can drain easily, you might notice a puddle behind or in front of the wall. These low spots might occur due to excessive settling. If this happens you should not ignore it, but pull the landscape away and add enough fill to allow proper drainage.

If you take care of your hardscape it can last a long time, but it is important to check walls and walkways from time to time. Don’t let a little problem sit until spring comes, it just will get worse over the winter. Contact Albert Group Landscaping if you have any further questions.

If you love to spend a lot of time in your backyard, you are not online. A recently conducted survey by the Americans Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) shows that the trend goes towards an undemanding outdoors space for lots of entertainment.

According to the 2012 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey gardens and landscaped spaces are popular with 94.9 percent of all respondents, for 92.5 percent an outdoor living space, such as an outdoor kitchen or entertainment space, is as important.

Dining and Sitting OutsideNot surprisingly a grill was with 97.4 percent the most in-demand feature for 2012, followed closely by low-maintenance landscapes (96.6 percent). 95.8 percent would not want to miss their fireplace or fire pit and 95.7 percent of all respondents want to take their dinner on a nice dining area outside. 86.9 percent prefer installed seating, such as benches, seat walls, ledges, steps and boulders, to weatherized outdoor furniture (81.2 percent).

Extending the Entertainment SpaceLighting features are also a popular choice, with 91.1 percent of Americans planning to extend the use of their outdoor space in the evenings and at night. 39.9 percent also install outdoor heaters, while 33.1 percent use outdoor cooling systems. Televisions or projections screens and stereo systems are popular with more than half of all Americans.

More Art than Playgrounds in Americas BackyardsOutdoor structures are also in demand. 95.7 percent of Americans enjoy a terrace, patio or deck, 70.3 percent rate outdoor kitchens or ovens as popular. Pergolas are popular with 85.2 percent of all Americans, and about half of all Americans enhance their outdoor living space with a Pavilion. According to the study there is more art in Americas backyards than there are play structures. 60.2 percent rated sculptures and murals as popular whereas just 54.7 percent enjoy tree houses, swing sets and other child friendly back yard features.

Swimming Pools and Water Features in DemandAmericans also love their pools (79.2 percent), but not quite as much as their spas (80.4 percent), including hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and saunas. Decorative water elements such as waterfalls, grottos, splash pools or bubblers are popular with 89.9 percent of the respondents.

Contact Jamie Snyder of Albert Group Landscaping to discuss your outdoor living dreams. We specialize in landscaping projects, such as retaining walls, walkways, patios and swimming pools as well as all related features, such as waterfalls, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.